GeordieVillan

I managed to get a ticket to the game and did the 8 hour round trip to sit in the Liverpool end with a mate. The journey back was honestly brutal and depressing. I have my concerns about the high line, and as has been discussed to death - sometimes we will get caught out. However, what I don’t understand is how we can play the high line, and not press at the same time. That is suicide. The Liverpool fans around me all commented that they didn’t realise Villa played such a high line, “they play as high as us” etc. But they also very quickly observed the difference was that when we were high in the first half, sometimes as high as the half way line, we weren’t applying any pressure on the ball. We got caught out with a simple ball over the top and quick one-two every time Liverpool went forward. Let’s be clear, I had high hopes before the game, by no means expecting to win, but I thought we had a chance, and at least was confident that we would put on a show and make a game of it. McGinn was well off it today, missing simple short passes, back down to earth after I said I wouldn’t trade him for any midfielder in the league other than KDB! Likewise Watkins, his confidence in the league looks shot to bits already, he desperately needs a league goal. Duran genuinely made a difference when he came on - he’s raw and makes bad choices, but he stretched the game, got involved and posed a small threat, which is more than Watkins did today. Luiz and Kamara are neat and tidy, but they were bullied at times today. Same as at Newcastle. Likewise Digne was pulling out of tackles from what I could see, maybe he doesn’t want to miss out on a transfer this week. Ramsey and Moreno will be straight back into this team. Robertson had Bailey on toast, other than one moment of magic. I don’t think Bailey can play in these away games, he’s a passenger, and it might have been better to bring on Chambers for Carlos, and leave Cash on the right wing. We could have scored 3 or 4 goals with the chances we had, but honestly it felt like Liverpool could have scored 9 or 10. This was a worse performance than Newcastle for me. A very bad day at the office, and there will be more days like this. No knee-jerk reactions, the players are generally still good enough and the manager is still the man. One last point, surely Salah was in an offside position and blocking Martinez’s view on the first goal? I havnt seen any of the tv coverage but there has been no discussion on the radio as there was about the Man City goal yesterday?

Hated seeing that.

Agree, and I’m one of the people suggesting we consider Maguire! Lenglet would be very decent cover and arguably would be pushing for a starting place on day one…

Newcastle being linked with Harry Maguire….still feel like he would be a good loan signing for us as cover (if we could get him on loan). Especially if we are playing 3 centrebacks, he would do a job on the left of the 3 as cover. If he goes to Newcastle and does a good job, it might one of those we look back on and regret.

Playing well, adding a lot to the team, but needs a league goal soon before his head goes down too much. He looked gutted when he came off!

Very solid. Loves a long pass by the looks of it, if he can get his radar a bit more accurate, it could be a very useful weapon…

Think he will be playing the same role against Liverpool. Looked very comfortable and provided good cover for Konsa when he stepped forward. Unai is a genius!

Not sure we can sell him the way he’s currently playing. Seems to have formed a good link with McGinn on the left now as well.

Right now I’m not sure if I would trade him for any other midfielder in the league. Maybe a fully fit De Bruyne? Can’t think of anyone else. He’s becoming the leader and the talisman we thought Grealish was going to be long term for us. In fact he might have already surpassed that given that it now seems we are operating at a higher level.

Bullied a bit for the goal, and that might happen a few more times this season, but he brings a lot to the team and he looks like he will be able to fill the Mings role, even if it’s a very different style. And what about those eyes.

Come on, Emi is quality and I love him, but he usually has a flap or two in each game. But he is generally amazing so we tolerate it and laugh it off as his style etc. Prime example was the “tackle” on Almiron. Let’s give Olsen some credit today, he was generally fine. One issue with his feet that you could say was Kamara as much as him, and then he was a hit stranded for the Rodriguez header. Reserve the criticism for when it’s deserved.

Before the Newcastle game I would have taken 6 points from the first 3 games with a positive goal difference. If you offered it to me. Consider the injuries and disturbance to the settled team as well. Something to build on.

Solid today, had a couple of moments, but then so does Emi in most games…but we controlled a lot of the game today and that might not be the case next week…

Looked good when Ollie was there to bring him in to the game. Quiet last 10-15 mins after the changes. Should have squared it to Ollie as well, Unai will be in his ear about that I’m sure!

Third goal would be lovely, then we can make a few subs. Game isn’t over yet though, Burnley will be better in the second half, we just need to make keep doing what we are doing.

Some on here think we have enough cover with Chambers, Dendoncker and Hause! We need one more quality centreback, even a season long loan just to cover for Mings.

Could it not be - Cash Konsa Carlos Torres, with Cash pushing on when in possession. And the McGinn from the right, Digne from the left (getting those crosses in)

Hasn’t looked good though!

We got there a bit late - gutted I missed Tommy Johnson!!!

Tbh, that’s exactly what we did. We also tried to cover up the wristbands as well! But at one point we did laugh and ask eachother why were we embarrassed to be in Terrace View? I mean honestly, why we should we be hiding it? We’ve paid through the nose for these season tickets and now we feel like we should be hiding it so our fellow supporters don’t look at us funny or with daggers? Maybe it’s a sign of weakness in our own characters, I don’t know. Having thought about it on the long journey home, my opinion has generally been informed by reading comments on here and then reinforced by some of the experience today - right or wrongly there is a perception that those in the TV have jumped the queue, or aren’t proper supporters, even if it is from a minority rather than the majority. No-one wants to be accused of that or be made to feel that way. Supporting your team is a badge of honour and if you’re an adult there shouldn’t really be any vibes of “I’m a better fan than you” etc. Some of the stuff today was a bit embarrassing and I felt sad for those people shouting comments or chanting at fellow Villa fans. It’s basically turning on eachother when we are part of the same ‘pack’. But as others have said, it’s probably borne out of frustration with the club and not having a place to vent it, rather than people genuinely wanting to have a go at fellow Villa supporters.

To be fair to the club - when I purchased the guy asked me where I wanted to sit, and the options were “slightly higher and more central” or “slightly lower and wider”. I wanted to be more central…

Indeed, we will just have to keep winning 4-0! I’m in block K5…great atmosphere

So following all the debate, I thought I would give a little review of this facility after the game today. I will try to do this in chronological order as much as possible… 1) We arrived and entered through the normal turnstiles, and then had no idea where to go. There were posters dotted around but it wasn’t clear at all. I asked one of the stewards who told me the Terrace View wasn’t open yet as it’s not finished the refurb. I was dubious, so I asked another steward, he pointed me in the right direction. Again though, not really signposted, so not a great start. 2) On entry, you are given a lanyard and a wristband for this specific match. It feels like a bit of overkill, not sure why both are necessary, especially when you have a season ticket card to gain entry, but so be it. They were very clear that you need both the wristband and the lanyard to gain access and to stay in. I was also given a programme and 2 drinks vouchers. 3) Immediate impressions were that it’s a really nice facility, it’s more like a cool bar that serves food than a traditional pub, and there was a mix of people in there, older, younger, men, women, kids etc. I was surprised how many kids were in there actually, it definitely had more of a family feel than the concourse. 4) There is views out on to the pitch through glass windows, but you can’t access this area as it is the accessible supports area - a bit frustrating but fair enough. I would imagine that if you could access this area, everyone would want to be out there. 5) To the other side there is an access on to the outdoor terrace which is a spillover area to have food and drinks, this is basically the area below the Villa badge on the Villa Park sign on the Holte End, at the top of the steps. Again, this is quite a nice little area and I enjoyed a pint here. 6) Drinks service was a quick and the beers were nice. On tap there I noticed Moretti and Neck Oil, there was a couple of others. I did comment to my pal that the service was very quick for being at a football match, and then he replied to say that “well we are paying extra for hospitality so it should be quicker really shouldn’t it?” There was self pour taps for those paying for drinks or not wanting to wait at the bar. 7) Our seats were in the upper Holte, but it wasn’t railed seating as expected. As I looked around, there was a mix of people with lanyards/wristbands and people without. Atmosphere was amazing! 8 ) At half time as we re-entered the Terrace View bar, there was chants from the concourse of “where were you when we were shit”. It’s banter but actually it made us a bit uncomfortable, we are all there supporting Villa! A bit of a shame for sure. 9) Food service at half time was quick, ordering on online screens and then collecting from the counter. Basically like a McDonald’s. Food was expensive though, reasonable quality. Not sure I would eat again. 10) Post-game we went back down to see what it was like at the end, and it was quieter but there was still enough people milling around and drinking in there. Again there was a few abusive comments and shouting from some lads on the main concourse, “posh bastards” etc. So be it. On the whole I was quite impressed, and it actually made me think that it might be with the extra money. It’s a nice space that isn’t as crowded as the concourse, and the service is quick, that is basically what you are paying for, not enhanced seating. Happy to answers any questions if anyone has any and I am able to. Just to be clear, I purchased a Terrace View season ticket and went with an open mind today, so this is just my feedback based on the experience today after a 4-0 win…

Have you tried your online account? There is a functionality in there to print match tickets (or download to your phone) and I think if you have bought tickets for an individual game then it will probably be in there…

This is a great video. He’s got an unusual style, it’s a bit awkward and he doesn’t look very quick but he seems to beat players to the ball and move away from them in a lot of this clips. He reminds me of Lee Sharpe with a sprinkling of Chris Waddle…